Wes Wise facts for kids

Wes Wise was an American journalist and politician. He was born on November 25, 1928, and passed away on December 9, 2022. He served as the mayor of Dallas, Texas, for three terms, from 1971 to 1976.

Early Life and TV News Career

Wes Wise was born in Shreveport, Louisiana. When he was fifteen, his father passed away. Wise left high school and started working at a local radio station in Monroe, Louisiana.

Even though he didn't finish high school in the usual way, he earned a diploma later. He passed a test that showed he had the same knowledge as a high school graduate. Wise also served in the United States Army for two years.

In the 1940s and 1950s, Wise became a sports announcer. He worked for the Liberty Broadcasting System radio network. He would describe baseball games as they happened. He got updates through special ticker tape reports. Then, he would tell the listeners what was happening in an exciting way. He even used sound effects to make it feel like you were at the game!

Later, Wise worked for many years at KRLD-TV in Dallas. This was a CBS television station. He was the sports director there. In 1960, he teamed up with Davey O'Brien. Together, they called Dallas Cowboys football games for CBS.

Covering Important News

During his time at CBS, Wes Wise also covered major news. He was on the scene in Dallas on November 22, 1963. This was when President John F. Kennedy was shot in Dealey Plaza.

Wise was present at the Dallas Municipal Building during important events related to the investigation. He later wrote a book about this time. It was called When the News Went Live: Dallas 1963.

Wise explained that Dallas was seen as a very conservative city back then. He mentioned that some people considered it a "hotbed of right-wing hysteria." He noted that the city was home to groups like the John Birch Society.

As mayor, Wise helped Dallas move forward. He worked to improve the city's image after the events of 1963. He also helped save the Texas School Book Depository building. This building was important for understanding what happened to President Kennedy.

Political Career

Wes Wise started his political journey in 1969. He was elected to the Dallas City Council. Two years later, in 1971, he was elected mayor. These jobs are usually nonpartisan, meaning people don't run as a specific political party.

During his time as mayor, Wise did a lot of good. He worked hard to change how people across the country viewed Dallas. He wanted to remove the negative image the city had after the Kennedy shooting.

Wise served as mayor for part of his third term. He then decided to run for a different political position. He resigned from being mayor to seek the Democratic nomination for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. However, he did not win that election.

Personal Life and Passing

Wes Wise passed away on December 9, 2022. He was 94 years old.